Please take a look at this article from the AJC about the finalist for the Atlanta Public School Superintendent.

And, from the Board of Education… “We want you – our students, families, supporters and staff – to get to know Dr. Herring, the finalist for APS Superintendent! Due to current social distancing measures, we’ll be hosting virtual meetings, so you’ll still have an opportunity to get your questions answered. Visit our Superintendent Search page or email us at atlantaboard@atlanta.k12.ga.us to submit your questions. State law requires 14 days between the announcement of a final candidate and making the appointment official but given the distancing measures in place due to coronavirus, we may extend that period. You can also submit your questions over the phone at (404) 802-2267, or my mailing it to the Atlanta Board of Education, 130 Trinity Avenue SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.”

As discussed by Councilmember Archibong on last night’s NPU-W online general meeting

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Please share this news from our NPU friends with the City of Atlanta…

To make sure we are communicating directly with seniors and those who advocate for them, NPU University is hosting a conference call for seniors next Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. To access the call, dial (646) 558-8656, access code: 399 797 8529# from any phone. The purpose of this call is to dispel myths about virtual meetings, to help take the intimidation factor out of the concept of virtual meetings, and show our senior neighbors how they can participate. There are seniors who are opposed to meeting virtually, only because they’ve been told that they have to have a computer or a smartphone. In this call, we will take the time to explain to seniors and the people who advocate for them how these meetings work and how they can vote on NPU agenda items. At the end of the call, they will be given the opportunity to ask any questions about virtual meetings. If you have a smartphone or computer, you can join the meeting here: https://zoom.us/j/3997978529. The meeting ID is 399 797 8529.

We have come to realize, as have many of you, that meeting virtually is actually MORE inclusive, since people who would not otherwise have an opportunity to attend NPU meetings can now participate without leaving their homes. This means that seniors who don’t like to go out after dark, seniors without transportation, seniors who are homebound or have difficulty getting around, or even parents who need childcare can now attend NPU and neighborhood association meetings. With virtual meetings, we even have the flexibility to stream meetings live on Facebook, or record and upload them to websites. Without a doubt, virtual meetings give NPUs the opportunity to reach more residents than ever before.

Leah LaRue, Registered Mediator

Assistant Director, Neighborhood Planning Units

City of Atlanta | Department of City Planning | 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 1450 | Atlanta, Georgia 30303

April 16, 2020

MARTA TO IMPLEMENT ESSENTIAL SERVICE PLAN, SHIFT FOCUS TO BUSIEST BUS ROUTES, REQUIRE SOCIAL DISTANCING

Authority will Operate 41 Routes, Double Service on 34 Busiest Routes

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announced it will implement an Essential Service plan that reduces the number of bus routes and allows for a doubling of service on the busiest, most critical routes. This plan keeps MARTA running for health care personnel and other essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Beginning Monday, April 20, MARTA will run 40 bus routes and one new circulator servicethat provide transportation to 17 hospitals, 22 urgent care centers, 85 grocery stores and 16 job centers/industrial hubs. Buses will be added to the 34 busiest routes. A list and map of the routes are attached.

“This Essential Service plan will serve the largest number of people and with these important destinations in mind, provide as much coverage in our service area as possible,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “This was not an easy decision. I know it will have a negative impact on many bus-dependent areas, but it is necessary to keep MARTA operating and allow space on our busiest routes for customers to practice social distancing.”

Bus ridership, while down 40 percent, remains steady on busy routes, resulting in unacceptable crowding. Rear door boarding, and suspension of bus fares have exacerbated the issue. Despite MARTA’s implementation of several crowding mitigation efforts such as instructing operators to display a ‘Bus Full’ sign when at capacity, a customer hotline to report a full bus and request another, and seat spacing signs to encourage social distancing, there are too many instances of customers ignoring the guidelines.

This Essential Service plan will address crowding by placing MARTA’s entire bus fleet on 41 routes. Decals near the boarding door of all buses will encourage customers NOT to board a bus that has no open seats and to wait for the next bus that will be coming along in most cases within 10 minutes. The MARTA Police Department will dispatch officers to the busiest routes to assist with overcrowding, limiting the number of passengers who board, and escorting off the bus those customers who are joyriding. MPD has also created a mobile team of officers who will respond in real time to bus operators who need assistance.

Rail ridership is down almost 80 percent, leaving room on trains for social distancing. Rail service will continue to operate on a Sunday schedule during weekdays with a start time of 5 a.m.

The Essential Service plan route list, map, and schedule can be found at www.itsmarta.com. For real-time service alerts, follow @MARTASERVICE on Twitter or download MARTA’s On The Go app.

City Councilmember Andre Dickens and the Atlanta Department of Transportation will be hosting a Vision Zero Town Hallon

Thursday, April 16th from 530P-7P.
The town hall will include discussion with the Atlanta Police Department, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and Safe Routes to Schools.

This is an opportunity to ask direct questions and make suggestions for moving Atlanta forward as a Vision Zero city.

You can join meeting and submit public comment via Zoom – http://bit.ly/VisionZeroATL or on FB – http://facebook.com/atlcouncil

Join Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen on Friday, April 17 at noon for a live virtual town hall to ask your questions, get answers and hear important updates for APS families. Join by computer or mobile device. https://www.facebook.com/AtlantaPublicSchools

Una sesión virtual de preguntas y respuestas
Viernes, 17 de abril – a las 12 del Mediodía en Facebook Live
@AtlantaPublicSchools www.facebook.com/AtlantaPublicSchools
Acompañe a la Superintendente Meria Carstarphen a una junta comunitaria virtual en vivo para que usted haga sus preguntas, reciba respuestas y escuche actualizaciones importantes para las familias de APS. Acompáñenos desde su computadora o dispositivo móvil.